"But," Liddell went on, "you'd be gambling and gambling badly with the unpredictability factor. One sub-space transfer out of two, according to statistics, is not routine. Oh, not essentially dangerous as long as there's someone at the transfer unit station to correct any inconsistencies in transfer as they arise. But if there's no one, you'll float in sub-space forever, not going hungry, not going thirsty, not growing older, but slowly going crazy with changelessness...." "So, I can't kill you." "Suit yourself." "We'll get to that later," Short said. "Now, about where I can go: you got any ideas?" "There are ten thousand and some worlds connected by these sub-space units, Mr. Short. What type of world did you have in mind?" "Not a new one or a small one. I'd stick out like a sore thumb. I want one plenty far from Earth but still not a brand new, uncrowded colony. I want a far colony but an established one." "Deneb Twelve," Liddell said in a very businesslike voice. "You couldn't possibly do better than Deneb Twelve. At the last census it had a population of over a hundred million, but it's more than six hundred light years from Earth, the twelfth planet of a system in which seven, nine, ten, eleven, twelve and fourteen are inhabited or habitable...." "All right, all right. Cut all the details. How do I know you're telling the truth about Deneb Twelve?" "You don't but you can always check it in our library." "If you say I can check it, then I don't have to. I believe you. But unfortunately, I know nothing about sub-space." Liddell shrugged. "But you're not going to trick me," Short said. "I didn't say I would." "I'm saying _I know_ you're not." Again Liddell shrugged. "You want to know why?" "I'm listening," Liddell said. "Because I'm going to take your wife with me, that's why. When we land on Deneb Twelve, I'll let her go." "You can't take her," Liddell said. "Can't I? Want to get started now, Liddell?" Short asked, waving the blaster. "I'm ready to get started, if you are." * * * * * Liddell stared mutely at his wife. Linda's face was drawn and white and for several moments no one spoke. Then Linda said: "You'd better do whatever he says, Lidd." "You know something?" Short said, laughing. "You'd better." Without a word, Liddell stalked toward the de-materializer. "Sooner or later they're going to catch you, Short," Liddell said an hour later. "Why don't you give yourself up now and get it over with." "Don't make me laugh. Would you give yourself up? I'm a condemned killer, pal. Sure, maybe they'll catch me on Deneb or someplace, but every day I stay alive is an extra day of reprieve for me, and don't think I don't know it. Now, are you ready with that de-materializer or whatever the hell you call it?" Liddell nodded and Short said, "Then let's go."